Mother, Stranger

Author Cris Beam reflects on her tumultuous childhood, marked by her mother's mental illness and her decision to leave home at age 14, leading to a lifelong silence between them. After her mother’s death, Beam explores her family’s hidden history and the elusive nature of memory, seeking understanding of her and her mother’s complex relationship. As a writer and professor, Beam’s storytelling probes the depths of family secrets and personal identity.